News

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Map of Australia showing streamflow trends as discussed in article.
Streamflow trends identified through the Bureau's Hydrologic Reference Stations

Analysis of streamflow trends around Australia—using the Bureau’s Hydrologic Reference Stations—reveals just nine sites with an increasing annual streamflow trend, while 72 sites show a decreasing trend and the remaining sites show no trend.

Decreasing trends were also found in seasonal streamflow, high and low streamflow and groundwater discharge, except in the Northern Territory and northern Queensland.

Read more about Long-term streamflow trends.


Illustration of the water fluxes in the landscape water balance model, showing precipitation, evapotranspiration, shallow- and deep-rooted vegetation, three layers of soil moisture, runoff and deep drainage.
Modelled fluxes in the landscape water balance model

The landscape water balance is the sum of the hydrological processes that keep water moving through a landscape—recharging groundwater, filling streams and flushing water through wetlands. This water balance also determines how much moisture is in the soil—a vital input for seasonal planting and crop production decisions.

Nationally consistent information about the water balance and how it changes is essential for forecasting and managing Australia's water and making sure ecosystems are healthy.

Read more about Balancing water across the Australian landscape.


Graph showing breakdown of estimated water use in Australia for 2013–14. Irrigated agriculture used 13,400 gigalitres or apprvoximately 57% of total water use; urban uses comprised 3,900 gigalitres or 17% of total water use. Plantations used 2,2100 gigalitres or 9%; Farm dams used 19.,900 gigalitres or 8%; stock and domestic bores used 1,100 gigalitres or 5%; mining used 800 gigalitres or 3%; and non-hydro electricity generation used 300 gigalitres or 1% of Australia's total water use.
Breakdown of water use in Australia for 2013–14

We recently released Water in Australia 2013–14, our first assessment report to provide information on water availability and use across the country.

Read on to find out key findings from the 2013–14 report.

Read more about Water in Australia.


Thursday, 5 November 2015

Photo of Burdekin spillway, courtesy CSIRO
Burdekin spillway, courtesy CSIRO

Queensland's Burdekin River region will be the tenth nationally-significant water management region to be added to the National Water Account.

Read more about And Burdekin makes ten!.


Windmill and water trough in outback Australia

For the first time, the Bureau's Groundwater Information Suite gives decision-makers easy access to comprehensive, nationally consistent information about groundwater in Australia.

Read more about our Groundwater Information Suite.


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